Multiple pocket container



C. D. KEIM Sept. l, 1964 ed Aug. '7, 1962 Cameron D. Keim BY United States Patent O 3,146929 MULTIPLE POCKET CONTAINER Caxneron D. Keim, *remont, Mich, assignor to Gerber Baby Fonds, Fremont, Mich. Filed Aug. 7, 1962, Ser. N0. 215,335 1 Claim. (C1. 2292.5)

T bis invention relates to an improved protective container having multiple pockets for glass jars.

When shipping a representative line of the manufacturers products, it is necessary =to insure their arrival in an undamaged condition and in an attractive orderly array. During handling, the average package is subjected to shock and stresses which could have an adverse efiect on the contents, and under severe conditions one r more of the glass jars could break and spoil the entire contents of the container thus rendering the initial purpose of the package inefiective.

An object of this invention is to provide a substantially rectangular package made of a soft lightweight, cellular resin comprising an upper and lower section having aligned recesses Within the upper and lower abutting faces at the plane of separation, creating isolated pockets for individual glass o1 other jars or packages.

Another feature and advantage of this invention lies in the fact that the lightweight cellular resin isolates the individual jars from externally applied shock since it has the ability to deform and absorb the shock wave when struck.

Still another feature and advantage of this invention is in the fact that the cellular resin forrns a hard smooth shell and provides mechanical rigidity and a moisture repellent surface on all exposed areas.

Another object of this invention is to provide an interlocking tongue and groove arrangernent on the abutting faces of the upper and lower sections of the container having the feature and advantage of providing a solid seal when the sections are brought into closed relationship.

Still another feature and advantage of this invention is to provide a liquid tight seal between the individual compartments and the exterior of the package when the container is in closed position.

Still another feature and advantage of this invention lies in the fact that the additional volume created by the tongue walls allows a reduction in the volume of th lower pocket, allowing easy removal of the jars while retaining fluid isolation between the pockets.

Still another feature and advantage of this invention lies in the fast that the combined snrfaces of the jars and pockets and the interlocking tongue and groove provide a strong locking joint which prevents rernoval of the lid by any but a lifting motion.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent by reading the following detailed specification in conjunction With the accompanying drawings, in which there is shown one embodiment cf the invention.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the closed container.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the open C- tainer diselosing the individual pockets.

FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view of FIG. 1 taken along the lines 33.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, there is provided a substantially rectangular closed container A having an upper portion 1 and a bottom portion 2. Upper portion 1 and lower portion 2 abut along a plane of separation 19 in closely contacting relationship, creating a continuous integral unit. The complete package A is contoured to allow easy handling and storage while still presenting an attractive appearance. Recesses 3, 4 and 5 in the top por- 3,146929 Patented Sept. 1, 1964 tion of package A may contain raised, permanently molded trade names or messages about the contents cf the package without afiiecting the stacking 01' storing capabilities of this package.

The package is molded of a lightweight, cellular resin such as polystyrene, a rigid, soft, foam material which forrns a hard, smooth outer shell during the curing process. This material is characterized by its ability to absorb mechanical forces applied to the outer surface and quickly attenuate any shock waves. The hard (hin outer Shell provides a moisture and dirt resistant surface which also resists wear or crurnbling of the cellular innerstructure.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, an array of upper cavities 17a and 18a and lower cavities 17b and 18b are revealed when the container is opened. The cavities are spaced suflieiently far from one another to provide isolation of the individual glass jars and arranged to present a neat orderly display of the product line. The upper and lower cavities are vertically aligned with one another to form a completely enclosed cylinder 17 or rectangle 18 when the perirnetrical edges of containers top 1 and bottom 2 are brought into matching alignment. As illustrated in FIG. 3, surfaces 17a and 17b of the upper and lower cavity form a completely enclosed cylindrical cavity 17 which will contact the surface of any object having the Same shape and dimension. By contouring the walls of the cavities to the exact contour of the enclosed object, it will be held in secure intimate relatively nonrnovable relationship.

The volume of the cavity formed by the Walls of lower cavity 17b is less than the volume forrned by upper cavity.

17a since the cord forrned by the plane of separation joint 19 intersects cylinder 17 below the centerline. This allows easy rernoval of the container from the cavity 17b when lid 1 is removed since the jar is closely held in 17b but not securely held.

When lid 1 is closed, upper cavity 17a extends sufiiciently far around the jar to securely hold it, thereby preventing rotation and an obscuring of the label. However, projecting edges 20 of cavity 17a Will n0t retain the jar against the forces of gravity and when the lid 1 is opened the jar will remain with lower portion 2.

If container A is dropped, the jars bnild up an inertia which could have a destructive eifect when the container cornes to a sudden stop if mechanical stresses caused by a sudden change in motion are concentrated. Since the Walls of cavity 17 are contoured to the exact shape and size of the jar, protection is provided in all directions. A sudden ehange in motion will cause a slight deformation of the Wall of cavity 17 thereby compensating for any possible irregularities in the surface of the jar and, in this manner, stresses which are developed are spread over the entire half of the surface of the jar thereby preventing stress concentration.

' The separation joint 19 between lid 1 and bottom 2 is structurally the weakest point of container A and the most easily subject to damage or destruction with a resultant damage to the contents of the container. By providing interlocking projections and recessions in the plane to separation, a secure, strong, attractive container is created. These projections are in the form of tongue 25 positioned around the perirneter of separation plane 19 and two series of parallel tongues 26 and 27 neatly traversing separation plane 19 and defining the crosssection of cavities 17b and 18b. One series of parallel tongues 26 are aligned parallel to one edge of the perimeter tongue while the second series of parallel tongues 27 are oriented at right angles to the first series of tongues.

Lid portion 1 has a complementing array of grooves about separation plane 19. A perirneter groove 35 and two parallel series of grooves 36 and 37 cross each other at right angles, defining upper cavities 17a and 18a in lid 1. By bringing lid 1 and bottom 2 into a vertical alignment with one another the tongues and grooves interlock to form a streng, t ight seal which resists sideward motion but allows easy lifting of lid 1 from bottom portion 2.

The interlocking tongue and groove provide a solid seal which prevents seepage or leakage from one cavity into the other adjoining cavities, when container A is closed. Such protection is desirable since the breakage of one jar will not ruin the appearance and contents of the whole package. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the surfac'es of the tongue and groove provide a sealing connection between the adjoining cavities along the separation joint.

Although the foregoing invention has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it is understood that certain changes and modifications may be practiced within the spirit of the invention as limited only by the scope of the appendant claim.

What is claimed is:

In containers of the type that are formed of a first and a second half section containing multiple recesses adapted to receive portions of substantially cylindrical articles to be packaged therein wherein said recesses of said first half section are adapted to fit in vertical registry with like recesses in said second half section, each of said recesses being sealed from the others of said recesses to prevent flow communication therebetween; the improvement cornprising a first and a second half section formed of integrally molded foam plastic material, said first and said second half section including first and second Wall portions respectively defining multiple recesses therebetween, said recesses of said second half section being slightly greater than semi-cylindrical while said recesses cf said first section being slightly less than serni-cylindrical thus enabling said second half section t encornpass a larger portion of said cylindrical articles to be packaged therein within said recesses oft said second half section than said recesses of said first half sec-tion, said first half section being formed with a plurality of upwardly projecting rectangular flanges including peripheral flanges extending around the margin of said first half section and dividing flanges extending alng the Walls between the individual recesses contained in said first half section, said flanges defining the perimeters of reservoirs, each of said reservoirs containing one of said recesses; the thickness of said dividing flanges being less than the thickness 0f said first wall portion between individual recesses, said flanges being formed to a height which allows said reservoirs each to contain any material spilled from an article packaged in the recess within each 015 said reservoirs; said second half section being formed with a plurality of grooves extending marginally around said second half section and extending along said second wall portions between the individual recesses contained in said second half section, said grooves forrned in vertical registry with said flanges of said first half section, said grooves having flat top and side Walls being shaped and proportioned to receive in snug, nested relation the corresponding vertically aligned flanges of the first half section whereby when the first and second half sections are fitted together a substantial friction bond is formed between said first half section and said second half section.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1336,776 Drinkwater Apr. 13, 1920 2932386 Ushkow Apr. 12, 1960 3,016129 King Jan. 9, 1962 3,061089 Higgins Oct. 30, 1962 OTHER REFERENCES Modern Packaging Magazine Article, February 1927 Issue.

Modern Packaging Magazine Article, January 1959 Issue.

Modern Packaging Magazine Article, June 1959 Issue. Modern Packaging Magazine Article, July 1959 Issue.

Attesting Officer UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent N0. 3,146929 September 1 1964 Cameron D Keim It is hereby certified, that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and tha t the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

In the grant lines 2 and 11 and in the heading 120 the printed specification, line 4, for "Gerber Baby Foods" each occurrence, read Gerber Products Company Signed and sealed this 30th day of March 1965,

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD J. BRENNER Commissioner of Patents ERNEST W. SWIDER 

